Looking at the face of God is a dangerous and foolhardy thing. However, when He looks upon us, His children, it is always with the greatest tenderness, compassion and love. How wonderful to see His tender eyes and know that His heart bursts with love and joy in us!
Francis was a man of scripture. He often lost himself in meditation on both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. He would tell his followers towards the end of his days, "I have so much scripture in my heart and mind that I have ample material to meditate on and follow the way of the Lord." Jesus said, "If you stay in my Word and my Word stays in you then you will truly be my disciples". Francis was a true disciple of Jesus and was always anxious to hear God's word and even more anxious to do what it told him.
In today's Post we find Francis giving a dear brother - brother Leo - a blessing. This blessing was near and dear to Francis' heart but it was not one that was created by Francis nor was it created on the spot. This blessing was given by the Jewish high priest at the end of services in the Temple at Jerusalem to all the people who had gathered. It is thousands of years old and is the blessing of God for His people.
What prompted Francis to give brother Leo this blessing? Jesus said, "Ask and you shall receive . . ." Brother Leo, described by St. Francis as being "a simple and pure soul . . .", had the greatest love and admiration for Francis. He was a humble and meek soul but, because of the great devotion he had for Francis and with a great desire to receive a special gift from him, he presumed to ask Francis for a blessing. Francis was more than happy to oblige this good, faithful and loving soul - this humble 'little lamb of God'.
"May the Lord bless you and keep you. May He show His face to you and have mercy on you. May He turn His countenance toward you and give you peace. The Lord bless – brother Leo - + – you."
What does it mean to be 'blessed'? The literal translation of 'bless' is to 'make happy'. All of us want to be happy - to find joy and satisfaction in our daily lives. Therefore, in wishing something for another, it is reasonable to wish for them to be happy . However, for most of us, 'happiness' is an elusive thing. We find that we are happy one day and sad the next! Often our internal state changes several times a day - happiness seems fleeting and hard to keep a good grip on. However, if God makes you 'happy' - wants you to be happy - then, you can be sure, you will stay happy (remain in a 'happy' state - in a good place - which is the basis for being/feeling happy!) God knows exactly what will make us happy, has the power (since His power is limitless) and wills us to be happy.
(Of course, God won't force us to be happy and we can choose to look on His gifts and blessings to us as curses. This person cannot expect to feel happy - though they are beloved of God and even blessed by Him! Remember we have free will and we determine how we will react to things. With God's help we can come to realize that "all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purposes". If you see with the 'eyes of faith' there is never a reason to be sad and every reason to rejoice and be 'happy' in the Lord!)
True happiness is not based on having things - a great car or house. It doesn't consist solely in having enough food or clothes. Nor is happiness solely an emotional thing. True happiness is found in having the deepest needs of our heart met. What is the greatest need and desire of the human heart? It is for love - to receive that life-giving and affirming love of God and be enabled to love like Him - to love Him (and others) like He loves us. If one has this 'happiness' then it cannot be disturbed by any lack of a 'thing', or taken away by the rejection, abuse or neglect of others. That is why St. Paul, while enduring so many physical trials (like being lost at sea and being nearly stoned to death by persecutors, just two of many examples of suffering he endured!) often spoke of the peace and 'happiness' he experienced in his life. Paul felt his life was very full, rich and happy! This is why, in this blessing, the 'keep' comes after the 'happy' part. Being totally free to rejoice - in our inner spiritual and emotional state - is primary.
Francis asks God to 'keep' - to preserve and provide for - brother Leo. This means Francis wants God to meet all of brother Leo's temporal needs - his physical, social and emotional needs. Remember what Jesus said on the Sermon on the Mount - "Do not worry about what you shall eat . . . what you shall drink . . . the clothes you shall wear . . . Your heavenly Father knows you need them all . . . your Father in heaven will give good things to those who ask Him!" Thus, Francis wished for brother Leo to be both 'happy' and also have all of his legitimate needs met.
God showing His face to a person is a frightening experience (since it is fatal) so why would Francis want this for Leo? The Hebrew Bible states that ,"No man can see the face of God and live." Moses, when speaking with God, asked if he might see His face. God told him that he could not see his face but would allow him only to see His back - for fear it would kill Moses to see His face. Our bodies are made out of 'dust' and water and cannot endure the power of the actual presence of God. However, as we are transformed during our faith journey into true children of God we become like Jesus. Jesus could see God without any problem. St. Paul said, "Looking into the face of Christ we are changed into the same image, from day to day, glory to glory." Therefore, if God is willing to show His face to brother Leo then it will only be because brother Leo is so transformed into Christ (has become so like Him) that God can safely reveal Himself to him. That is why Francis ends with ". . . and have mercy on you." It is the mercy - the tenderness and goodness of God - that transforms us and makes it possible for us to draw near to God, in love.
One's countenance is not the same as one's face. A countenance is an expression - one's demeanor - as revealed on one's face. The countenance of God I believe Francis was talking about was that of love, tenderness, compassion, delight and wonder that God would feel in His heart for Leo and would, therefore, show on His face. That is why, instead of God's face terrifying Leo, His countenance brings 'peace'. His facial expression reveals all of the goodwill of God that He has for Leo (and for all of us children of His).
"The Lord bless - brother Leo + - you!" (The "+" = the sign of the cross.) What is more important, during our existence in this world, than being happy?! Francis ends his blessing with these words. If you spend your life in the happiness of the Lord then, you can be sure, you will spend eternity in the happiness of the Lord. What is better than that!? What greater blessing can one give or one get than to spend eternity laughing, carousing, singing, dancing, playing and listening to heavenly music, feasting and drinking, in the presence of the most wonderful people (angels and saints) and in the most amazing surroundings!? What is greater than knowing and living with God - our amazing, exciting and wonderful heavenly Father - for all eternity! Alleluia and Amen!
I hope and pray this blessing for us all. Let us be transformed - become what we were always called to be: the children of God. It requires us to place ourselves always in His presence using holy tools - scripture, prayer, Mass, fellowship with spiritual brethren, alms, fasting, etc. (things of 'the Spirit'). It requires constant effort on our part and perseverance in the pursuit of what is good and right, true and holy - during our daily activities. We must never lose sight of the goal, never forget to 'take up the cross daily' and to follow Jesus - living as He lived and loving and giving as He did. Brothers and sisters, our father Francis once said, "Great things have we promised God. Yet greater things than that has God promised us!" Let us fulfill our promises to live the Gospel life and always encourage ourselves with the great promises of God to get us through this life and bless us with the riches of the life to come. Amen!
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